andym528

I had acupuncture treatment yesterday at Bumrungrad. So far I am very pleased with the result although it was a bit on the expensive side for Thailand. The woman was very competent and took her time to find out what my problem was. I got some meds (celebrex and a muscle relaxant) to augment the acupuncture. The whole thing was 1500 baht - about $35 American. No doubt you can find it cheaper and if anyone has any great recs for this not too far from Thong Lo, I'd love to hear them.

I had no personal recommendations about other acupuncture therapists and without a personal rec, I always go to Bumrungrad for any health related stuff. You pay more there, but every time I have been there, I've been taken care of competently and politely. Even going to Bumrungrad, it's still drastically cheaper than health care in the USA.....

Just to muddy the waters, I got a type 'O' visa in Denver, Colorado, USA. I dressed in grubby shorts, a torn tee shirt and flip flops. All I had to do was have my passport, the two passport photos, fill out the application and pay the nominal fee. It was all finished in about 25 minutes. I left with the visa.

I also was not asked for a specific reason for requesting it. I was not asked about a Thai bank account.

BTW I am 55 and did not have a Thai wife nor was I engaged at the time.

note that in Thailand it's normal to go directly to a hospital for any reason including a mild headache, rather than be referred by a GP.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And I recommend that you make an appointment for anything other than an emergency if possible. It's hit or miss without an appointment. I've been seen immediately and I've waited up to 2 hours without an appointment. With an appointment, I've never waited more than 20 mins which is standard for seeing a Dr in the USA, anyway. Here is the link where you can make an appointment online:

http://www.bumrungrad.com/htm/eng/main.asp...ake/appoint.asp

Can anyone recommend some more Thai bands?

I have found, Carabao, Potato, คำเม้า เปิดฤนน and China Dolls, from posts on TV.

On my searches all I seem to find is what sounds like a collection of heartfelt ballads, not my style.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Like Chang, I'm looking for some new Thai music. Made-for-MTV heart felt ballads are ok but only in small doses. I've heard some great thai musicians on occasion in small bars, but I'd love to find some great Thai rock music that ISN'T heavy metal, speed rap or green day like... any ideas?

Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV......

Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV.........

And how about the traffic? 

And to storm drains overflowing? 

The best place to be is definitely on a balcony high above the chaos with a glass of wine and a (dare I say it?) f... f..... ciggy!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The traffic, yeah... made the stupid mistake of going to On Nut Tesco Lotus Friday after work. To add to the normal Friday rot tit, we had a massive cloudburst while shopping. When we came out the traffic was at a dead stop, didn't move even a meter for over 10 minutes. We went back inside, had a snack and waited 45 minutes to get a taxi to lug the full shopping cart of crap home.

Was wishing I was on my balcony with a glass of red or a cold Tiger....

dada - anything by this amazing LA band is great

Los Lobos - another great LA band, these guys are definitely East LA

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals

someone mentioned the Dandy Warhols, the new one is another great effort reminiscent of Wilco's Yankee Foxtrot Hotel (or whatever the name of the cd is)

Jack's Mannequin is also new and really good. If you are familiar with Something Corporate, it's the lead singer's project.

Avoid it like the plague..... nothing good about it. You can do far better...

Tesco Lotus at On Nut skytrain is very good for basics but Carrefour nearby is better for non-food household stuff like towels, dishes and bedding. Both have reasonable selections of veggies and fruits at OK prices. Neither matches Villa Soi 33 for farang necessities. A day's shopping for us usually involves a first stop at Pra Khanong market for fruit and veggies, seafood and some meat, then on to Lotus or Carrefour for bulk water, milk, cereal and various other things....

yup, there's a Villa in the Nichada Thani complex where ISB is located.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's in the same building that houses the fitness/country club and downstairs from the Starbucks. It's a smaller one compared to the one at Suk/Soi 2.

Now expensive apartment Suk Soi 38.

Moving soon to Pathum Thani house.

Someday to retire in quiet Sa Kaeo.

Just a few minutes ago, a massive thunderstorm passed over my flat (near Sukhumwit - BTS Thong Lo). Aaarrrhhhhh. Hmmmm. Standing outside on my balcony, I can smell... well, fresh air! The pounding rain has cleansed the air. The ferocious bolts of lightning have purified the atmosphere. The air is clean. The air is clear. Distant neon signs are tack-sharp. Lights are brighter. Colours are richer and more vibrant.

Let there be torrential rain, thunder and lightning every day!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm Suk/Thong Lo area too. The clean clear air after a storm I LOVE, but what I don't love is that when we get any kind of even vaguely cleansing rain, my UBC goes down AND about half of the lightning storms knock the power out in my building thus no A/C and no fans....

i must admit the steak in outback was superb: although over priced. but ill certaily check the others out. if sizzlers is top quality USA style steak then im never going to eat steak in the USA: it is crap and anyone who says otherwise knows absolutely nothing about food. but there again how many of you have ever worked in a top restaurant?     

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Outback IS in the US.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neither Sizzler NOR Outback NOR Tony Roma's are 'top quality' steak in the US. All three are considered very low end. No one who actually likes steak (or food in general) would ever eat at those restaurants unless forced to at gunpoint.